Disclosure Emerges: N4.6 Billion Traced to Bafarawa’s Offspring in ONSA Arms Transaction Probe

In a pivotal disclosure amidst the ongoing trial of ex-governor of Sokoto State, Attahiru Bafarawa, and four cohorts, the Second Prosecution Witness, Hamza Abdullahi, unveiled before Justice Yusuf Halilu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court a staggering sum totaling N4.633 billion. This sizable amount was linked to Dalhatu Investment Limited’s account, wherein Bafarawa’s son, Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa, held a significant position. The witness shed light on the convoluted financial maneuvers intertwined with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) arms deal, entangling individuals associated with Dalhatu Investment Limited.
Abdullahi, who formerly served as the deputy head of the Special Task Force for Fraud Investigation on Arms and Defence Equipment Procurement within ONSA, meticulously delineated the examination of 78 entities allegedly embroiled in fiscal irregularities pertaining to ONSA funds. He underscored Dalhatu Investment Limited among the scrutinized entities, pinpointing the substantial funds directed into its account at United Bank of Africa (UBA), where Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa exercised exclusive signatory authority.
Throughout his testimony, Abdullahi recounted the interrogation of Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa on November 25, 2015, accentuating the defendant’s voluntary provision of statements in response to the evidence presented by the investigative team. He affirmed the absence of coercion or inducement during the proceedings, highlighting the transparent and conducive environment maintained throughout.
Moreover, Abdullahi emphasized Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa’s earnest commitment to collaborating with the investigation, citing the defendant’s undertaking to furnish comprehensive information regarding the beneficiaries of the funds linked to his account. The witness underscored the voluntary nature of the defendant’s cooperation, stressing Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa’s decision to disclose pertinent details sans the presence of legal counsel.
The disclosure of substantial funds routed to Dalhatu Investment Limited, alongside Sagir Attahiru Bafarawa’s proactive involvement in the investigative process, underscores the gravity of the allegations surrounding the ONSA arms deal. The prosecution’s scrupulous presentation of evidence underscores its resolve to hold accountable all parties implicated in financial impropriety, regardless of their affiliations or positions of authority.
As the trial proceeds, Justice Halilu’s adjournment of the proceedings until May 22, 2024, signifies the importance of affording the defense an opportunity to present its case in the trial-within-trial. The verdict of this trial will not only ascertain the culpability of the defendants but also stand as a watershed judgment in combating corruption and reinstating public trust in Nigeria’s judicial apparatus.